As with most places, the first stop in attraction laden Luray, Virginia, is the Visitor Center. Luray is known primarily for its world class caverns, but has many more things to see.
The Visitor Center is in the restored, historic railroad depot that is located on a hilltop on Campbell Street and built in a renovated 1906 structure recently sold to the city of Luray after train service ended. The Visitor Center is manned by a knowledgeable and courteous attendant who will answer all your questions about the area attractions. The Visitor Center also houses a very informative railroad museum, so if you are a railroad aficionado, you will enjoy this small, but informative museum.
Inside the railroad museum are exhibits that include the old office, a floor painted layout of the rail line stops, telegraph machine, donation box, tools and model train exhibits.
Behind the depot is the old slave block. Though a small town at the time, Luray was still in the business of auctioning African slaves to the highest bidder. Many larger cities in the colonial South had large slave auction market buildings, but Luray had a stone block pedestal to display and sell slaves. That stone block is located behind the train depot and across the tracks.
Also across the street from the historic train depot is the Warehouse Art Gallery. The owner, Jim Mayes gave me his card and a warm greeting, but told me the gallery was closed since it was a day for group meditations. When I told him I would like to take photos for TravelGumbo, he allowed me to enter and introduced me to the mediation group and invited me to join for the next few hours, but since I was pressed for time, I declined.
Behind the Visitor Center is also the historic Massanutten School House and the American Legion.
Stark reminder of mans’ inhumanity.